Updates from State Rep. Travis Simms for March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026



 

 

State leaders recently approved $5 million in Community Investment Fund support for two important projects in Norwalk that will strengthen housing stability and access to mental health care for families.

$3 million will support a new affordable senior housing development on South Main Street. The project will replace outdated public housing and create 68 modern, affordable apartments for residents age 62 and older, allowing longtime seniors to remain in the community while expanding the number of available units.

An additional $2 million will help the Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center purchase its longtime home on East Avenue. Each year, the organization provides behavioral health services to more than 2,500 children, young adults, and families, including therapy, psychiatric care, crisis support, and school-based mental health programs. Securing the building will give the organization long-term stability and allow more resources to go directly toward care.

These investments address two urgent needs in our community: affordable housing for seniors and accessible mental health services for young people and families. By supporting these projects, the state is helping ensure Norwalk residents have safe housing, strong community resources, and the support they need to thrive.

 

Public Hearings Next Week

Please take a look at the hearings scheduled for next week. 
 

Things to Do in CT This Weekend

With temperatures (mostly!) climbing and winter’s bitter chill beginning to thaw, many of us are looking forward to getting out and enjoying all that Connecticut has to offer. Here are a few great activities happening across the state this weekend for you and your family.


Things to Do….


St. Patrick’s Day Parades
Everyone is a little bit Irish this weekend. Wear your green and head out to one (or more!) local St. Patrick's Day celebrations taking place (information in links):

  • Norwalk St. Patrick's Parade (Saturday, March 14).
  • Milford St. Patrick's Parade (Saturday, March 14).
  • Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade (Sunday, March 15, 1:30 p.m.): One of the state's largest, starting at Chapel St. and Sherman Ave.
  • New London St. Patrick's Day Parade (Sunday, March 15).

Women’s History Month
Communities across Connecticut are celebrating Women's History Month with events and recognitions, including the following:

  • Women Take Flight at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks (Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Meet women working in the aerospace industry, participate in hands-on STEM activities, explore historic aircraft, try flight simulators, and learn about careers in aviation and engineering.
  • New Britain Museum of American Art (Ongoing): Features Women's History Trivia Night with Five Churches Brewing, Virtual Slow Art, and Gallery Talks highlighting women artists.
  • Mystic Seaport Museum (Ongoing): Offers "The Story of Gerda III," "Adventure Series: Crossing Every Ocean for Science," and a members-only program on a century of women in the Rosenfeld Collection.
  • The Florence Griswold Museum (Ongoing) in Old Lyme: Showcases the legacy of "Miss Florence" Griswold, a crucial figure in American Impressionism.

All Things Maple

  • Maple Sugar FestThe Stamford Museum & Nature Center (Sunday, March 15). Visitors can learn how maple syrup is made while enjoying family-friendly activities celebrating this classic New England tradition.
  • Maple Festival – Sweet Wind Farm, East Hartland (Saturday, March 14): Historic farm offers guided tours, pancakes, live music, children's activities, and demonstrations. Just in time for some cabin fever relief.
  • Syrup Saturday: A Pancakes & PJs Party – New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan (Saturday, March 14). Annual end-of-syrup-season celebration with fun activities including tree tapping demonstrations, a real maple sap “boil down,” and a real versus fake syrup taste test.
  • Maple Weekend – Auerfarm, Bloomfield (March 14-15): Enjoy a pancake breakfast, sample fresh maple syrup, and get a tour of the farm's maple trees. Watch farm educators tap the trees and collect sap, then follow the steam to the sugar shack to watch the sap get boiled down into maple syrup.

New Haven Museum Exhibit – “Pronounced Ah-Beetz
The New Haven Museum is hosting “Pronounced Ah-Beetz,” a major exhibition exploring the history, culture, and evolution of New Haven’s iconic apizza. Running through October 2027, the exhibit features artifacts including Frank Pepe’s original hat, historic pizza boxes, and memorabilia from local institutions like Sally's Apizza and Modern Apizza.

Howling Good Time
A recent video of red wolves howling at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo has generated excitement among animal lovers across the state. It’s always fun to visit the zoo and see the exotic wildlife.

 

As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Travis Simms
State Representative


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